Bills: Double Texting In School Zone Fines

November 26, 2013

Rep. Richard Stark, D-Weston, wants to increase the penalty for motorists who text while behind the wheel in school zones. Stark has proposed a measure (HB 333) that would double fines for texting while driving in legally posted school zones or designated school crossings.

The state’s new texting-while-driving ban went into effect October 1 and carries a penalty of $30 and court costs for first-time offenders. The law only allows enforcement as what is known as a “secondary offense.” That means motorists can only be cited for texting while driving if they are pulled over for other reasons.

Last month, Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, filed a measure (SB 322) that would allow police to stop motorists for texting while driving as a primary offense.

by The News Service of Florida

Comments

4 Responses to “Bills: Double Texting In School Zone Fines”

  1. jolh on November 27th, 2013 8:14 pm

    texting and driving should be a capital punishment case when a death has occurred.
    now that would solve a problem. matter of fact, any crime that involves death should be capital punishment. we would have low crime/murder rates within a couple months……. gauranteed.

  2. don on November 27th, 2013 12:57 am

    if you text while driving you should be fined at least 300 dollars for a first offense and then for a second offense 1000 dollars and lose your drivers license, for a third offense 5000 dolars and 3 years in jail. same for dui

  3. paul on November 26th, 2013 11:00 am

    People will not take this serious until (1) Their loved ones are injured or killed (2) They get a BIG fine comparable to a DUI.. People are dying from distracted drivers and something needs to be done about it.. It should be a primary offense with Harsh penalties..What’s the difference in a person driving and picking up a bottle or a cellphone to their crash victim? Dead is Dead..

  4. steve on November 26th, 2013 7:30 am

    Why are we a need to know right now country?? Glad to see a fine but it should be more than $30.00. I along with my two kids were hit last year by someone texting and we are still dealing with it. Two cars junked, surgery, rehab, layers..